Etching, sand ground and routlette printed in dark, brownish black on cream laid paper, 1916. 277x320 mm; 10 7/8x12 5/8 inches, full margins. Edition of approximately only 19. Signed and inscribed "imp." in pencil, lower right. A superb, well-inked impression of this extremely scarce, early print.
We have found only 5 other impressions at auction in the past 30 years.
Lewis (1881-1962) was one of the leading contributors to American printmaking in the first half of the twentieth century, creating approximately 150 etchings and lithographs between 1915 and 1953. While many of his contemporaries explored the ever-changing New York cityscape by meticulously capturing new and old architecture alike, Lewis's fascination centered on the city's inhabitants. Lewis approached printmaking as an art form in and of itself (rather than ancillary to painting). His print compositions were unique and he excelled at virtually every printmaking technique, using his remarkable skills to push each one to its greatest potential.
This is one of two etched views of Madison Square Park that Lewis made in 1916. Among his first etchings of New York, both depict the park from the east side looking west toward Fifth Avenue and Broadway. McCarron 13.
